en.Wedoany.com Reported - The French Ministry of Economy, Finance, Industry, Energy and Digital Sovereignty has granted Mantle8 a natural hydrogen exploration permit, marking a key step forward in the development of natural hydrogen resources in Europe. The permit was published in the Journal Officiel de la République Française on April 11, 2026, following a formal application process that included public consultation and review by regional authorities.
The permit authorizes Mantle8 to conduct exploration activities, including geophysical surveys, across the entire permit area before obtaining final approval for drilling. Concurrently with the permit, Mantle8 launched its flagship natural hydrogen exploration and demonstration project in the Pyrenees, Hydrogeco (Hydrogène géologique du Comminges, meaning "Geological Hydrogen of Comminges"). This project brings together research institutions, technology partners, transport operators, and downstream industrial offtakers within a collaborative framework to support the project's progression from exploration to potential commercial development.
Emmanuel Masini, founder and CEO of Mantle8, stated that the permit and the launch of the Hydrogeco project are highly significant for the European natural hydrogen sector. Energy sovereignty has become a strategic priority for the continent, and France is creating the regulatory conditions for large-scale development of local low-carbon hydrogen resources. The consortium model is central to the company's approach, as resources of this scale and complexity can only be successfully developed through genuine partnerships with local communities, research institutions, and industry stakeholders.
Last year, Mantle8 completed the world's first 4D imaging of an active underground natural hydrogen system at the Hydrogeco prospect using its proprietary HOREX multi-physics exploration technology. The data indicates the presence of an active hydrogen source capable of replenishing sealed reservoirs and supported the permit application. Following the permit grant, Mantle8 has begun geophysical surveys across the entire 739-square-kilometer area to build a comprehensive picture of subsurface hydrogen dynamics, with this data to be used to identify the most promising reservoir locations.
Julien Perrutel, Hydrogeco Project Director, added that the company's presence on site is fundamental to the project's success. He is based in the region and serves as the primary point of contact for regulatory authorities, local residents, and business partners. Since the project's inception, the company has maintained transparent, science-based dialogue with all local stakeholders and will continue this approach throughout the project's development, committed to creating lasting value for the region.
The company recently completed a €31 million Series A funding round and received a €2.06 million grant from the European Union's Just Transition Fund to industrialize its core exploration technology, bringing the company's total investment to €37 million. These funds will be used to deploy exploration technology across its prospect portfolio and support the company's planned drilling activities, subject to necessary regulatory approvals.
Natural hydrogen is produced by geological processes such as ongoing serpentinization, where water reacts with iron-rich rocks deep underground. Unlike manufactured hydrogen, it requires neither electrolysis nor fossil fuel inputs, providing a low-carbon hydrogen source with only a fraction of the energy intensity of current production methods. Mantle8's proprietary technology stack is specifically built for analyzing natural hydrogen systems, enabling the company to precisely locate reservoirs containing high-purity free gas at pressures sufficient for unassisted extraction.
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